Today, the sun blazed fiercely in the sky, its intense heat radiating down and warming the earth below. Fluffy white clouds drifted lazily overhead, seemingly unaffected by the sun's relentless glare.

In Greyvale City, life bustled as usual beneath this scorching sun. The grand city gates stood wide open, allowing a steady stream of people to enter and exit while guards maintained order at the entrance.

The streets were alive with a cacophony of sounds. Merchants' carriages jostled alongside elegantly adorned vehicles belonging to influential figures, all pulled by horses or magical beasts.

Small vendors set up their stalls, calling out to passersby in an effort to attract customers. The streets were populated by individuals from various races: humans, dwarves, imposing orcs, and occasionally a few elves or other unique beings.

Despite their differences, they shared the same pathways, walking side by side and exchanging smiles.

The city thrummed with activity; each resident was engaged in their daily pursuits, striving to provide for themselves and their families.

By day's end, everyone sought the means to secure a comfortable existence. In this environment, idleness could lead one to become a beggar on the streets, a fate no one desired.

Social hierarchy in this world is distinctly divided into three tiers. At the top are those in positions of power, leaders who guide those below them.

The second tier comprises the working class; even within this group exists its own hierarchy. This class serves as the backbone of the economy and constitutes the majority, akin to soldiers under a commander serving their superiors.

Beneath them lies the impoverished, those reduced to homelessness and begging for survival.

These individuals rely on the compassion of workers who offer food or spare change from begging.

Such is the nature of social structure: hierarchies exist everywhere, even among animals that instinctively categorize themselves similarly.

Equality among living beings is an illusion; leaders must emerge to guide others while those beneath them often remain unseen or disregarded by both leaders and masses alike.

In nature's hierarchy, predators exist among predators who view others merely as prey; similarly, prey are often seen only as sustenance.

This principle extends into society: without a structured hierarchy, chaos would reign supreme.

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"Hey Kellen! Over here!" A hearty laugh echoed through a small tavern as a burly man clad in shiny armor waved his hand toward the entrance where another man sat beside him in fine leather armor with tiny eyes and a mustache.

"Hahaha! Zane! Joss! I didn't expect to see you two here!" exclaimed Kellen, a lanky figure dressed in worn red armor marred by cracks, as he approached their table.

"We're just as surprised," Zane replied with mirthful laughter while rubbing his bald head gleaming under sunlight filtering through windows. "Fate has reunited us once again!"

The lanky man known as Kellen settled into his seat, a wide grin stretching across his face as he regarded the two men in front of him.

He turned to the man sporting a mustache and chuckled, "Joss, it looks like you've been doing well! You even managed to trim your mustache properly. Now you look like a true gentleman."

Joss rolled his eyes in response. "Which part of me looks like a gentleman? I'm a hot-blooded brute warrior; the term 'gentleman' isn't exactly my style."

"Still as rough around the edges as ever," Kellen replied with a light laugh. "I thought that neat mustache might soften you up a bit, but I guess I was mistaken."

"Come on, you two! We haven't seen each other in ages, let's celebrate!" Zane interjected, giving the table a hearty pat.

Both men exchanged glances before bursting into laughter, their joy and carefree spirits filling the room.

Kellen eyed them both and said, "Well, it's clear you two are doing well. Zane, I see you've upgraded your armor; it's even better than your last set. And Joss, you've changed your gear too. What a pair of wealthy adventurers!"

Zane laughed heartily, his bald head shining under the sunlight streaming through the windows. "Of course! I've got to keep up with my new status as a Copper Rank Adventurer, I'm ranked 179th among them now! With this rank boost, I can take on two missions per day instead of just one."

"What?" Kellen exclaimed, momentarily taken aback. His mouth fell open in shock before he regained his composure and took a deep breath.

"You mean you made it into the top two hundred of Copper Adventurers? Damn, what luck!" Kellen said through gritted teeth.

"Hehehe... I'm not the only one who cracked that ranking," Zane added with a sly glance at Joss, who sat with arms crossed and an easy smile on his face.

"What?! You mean this guy made it too?" Kellen shot Joss an incredulous glare while Joss simply smiled back at him.

"So... what's your ranking?" Kellen finally asked after taking another deep breath to calm himself.

Joss replied with a slight smile, "I'm ranked 160th among Copper Adventurers, and it won't be long before I surpass the one above me."

"Damn you guys," Kellen cursed playfully as he glared at both friends while jealousy flickered across his face. "You can take two missions per day now while I'm stuck with just one... You're really lucky." He sighed dramatically before grabbing Zane's beer and downing it in one go.

Zane and Joss exchanged knowing looks; they could sense each other's thoughts without saying a word.

"Hey... Kellen..." Zane began tentatively.

BANG!

Before he could finish, Kellen slammed his hand down on the table, causing it to creak loudly as the sound echoed through the small tavern. But no one paid him any mind; they were all too absorbed in their own conversations.

On the table lay a gleaming badge, proudly displayed.

"Hahaha! Bastards, did you think you were the only ones who could become Copper Rank Adventurers? Sorry to burst your bubble, I made it to Copper Rank too!" Kellen laughed heartily.

He couldn't contain his joy as he watched his two friends' shocked and speechless expressions.

"Guess what? I also made it onto the rankings. I'm ranked 180th, just behind you, Zane. You're not the only special one here!" Kellen continued, his face beaming with pride.

"Hmph... You're only ranked behind Zane. What's there to be so proud of? Both of us became Copper Rank Adventurers before you did, so show some respect for your elders," Joss said disdainfully.

"Yeah... It took you ages to reach Copper Rank. So why are you celebrating?" Zane added with a smirk.

"Damn it, can't you two just let me enjoy catching up to you?" Kellen shot back angrily. "Do you think I'm like the Crimson Devil who became a Copper Rank in just two days? I'm just a regular guy who worked my butt off for this rank!"

Zane and Joss's eyes lit up at the mention of "Crimson Devil," filled with reverence and admiration.

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A/N: Happy New Year everyone.

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